Edwardsville man faces meth charges

EDWARDSVILLE — An Edwardsville man is facing up to 60 years in prison after he was accused of making methamphetamine in the presence of a 1-year-old relative.

Richard Brown, 61, of the 1200 block of Madison Avenue, Edwardsville, was charged after police obtained a search warrant and recovered 38 items, some of them dangerous chemicals, possibly used in making the drug.

Methamphetamine production is a class X felony, punishable by a prison term of up to 30 years in prison, but because there was a child present, the sentence could be enhanced to 60 years in prison.

In addition to the class X felony, Brown is also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials, for allegedly possessing chemicals such as lye, muriatic acid and lighter fluid.

Police began investigating the case April 4 when an anonymous caller told them she was visiting a friend at the Madison Avenue address. The caller told police she observed a man in the basement of the home shaking a plastic bottle. She also noticed two empty pseudoephedrine packets.

The caller also noted there was an ammonia smell that made her nose burn. The caller said one resident of the home has a 1-year-old child. The caller said she took her own child outside, once she became suspicious that methamphetamine was being cooked in the basement.

According to reports, the witness described what is known as the “cold cook” method of manufacturing methamphetamine. The process is highly dangerous. Explosive reactions causing injury and death are commonly associated with the process.

Police went to the home on April 24 and were given permission to search by one of the residents, not the defendant.

The resident showed them a work room where the defendant “makes birdhouses.” A police officer said that while he was at the door of the room he observed what he thought may be drug paraphernalia on the work bench.

The officer entered the room and found a number of items commonly related to methamphetamine.